Belt system

ABSTRACT

A belt including a strap of synthetic rubber, wherein the strap has perforations that extend only partially through a thickness of the strap. A belt system including a protective belt including a strap of synthetic rubber and configured such that the protective belt is in direct contact with the skin of a wearer, and a functional belt worn outside the protective belt such that the protective belt is positioned between the functional belt and the wearer.

The current disclosure is directed to a belt, and more particularly, to a belt configured to be worn against the skin of a wearer to provide protection to the wearer.

BACKGROUND

Duty belts, utility belts and the like are often worn by law enforcement personnel, police officers, security officers, corrections officers, law enforcement agents, military personnel, construction workers, tradesmen, etc. to support the wearer's pants/trousers and/or to support various items on the belt. Such belts can bear significant weight when they support the associated items and thus can cause chafing, bruising, abrasions, scratches, skin pinches, etc.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment the present invention is a belt that can be worn under a duty/utility belt to provide cushioning and minimize or prevent discomfort to the wearer, etc. More particularly, in one embodiment the invention is a belt including a strap of synthetic rubber, wherein the strap has perforations that extend only partially through a thickness of the strap. In another embodiment the invention is a belt system including a protective belt including a strap of synthetic rubber and configured such that the protective belt is in direct contact with the skin of a wearer, and a functional belt worn outside the protective belt such that the protective belt is positioned between the functional belt and the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a belt, shown in a flat configuration;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the belt of FIG. 1, shown in a partially wrapped configuration;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the belt of FIG. 1, shown wrapped around the waist of a wearer and positioned under a duty belt and pair of trousers and shirt; and

FIG. 4 is a side cross section showing the belt of FIG. 3 in conjunction with a wearer, the wearer's clothing and a duty belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment the protective belt 10 includes or is made of a generally flat rectangular strap 12. The belt/strap 10, 12 can be made primarily of synthetic rubber, such as polychloroprene or neoprene (collectively termed “synthetic rubber” herein). The belt/strap 10, 12 can include a facing or covering material 14, such as a knit fabric material, on an outer face/surface thereof to provide increased durability and strength to the belt/strap 10, 12. The belt/strap 10, 12 can include first 16 and second fastening components or pieces 18 of fastening materials positioned on opposite sides thereof that are configured to releasably engage each other. For example, in one embodiment the first 16 and second pieces 18 of fastening materials are corresponding a piece of hook-and-loop fastening material, such as VELCRO® material. However the first 16 and second pieces 18 of fastening material can take any of wide variety of other materials, such as magnetic/magnetizable materials, snaps, clasps, buttons, zippers, etc.

With reference to FIG. 3, the belt/strap 10, 12 is configured such that it can be wrapped around the waist of a wearer, and the pieces of fastening material 16, 18 can be engaged with each other to retain the belt/strap 10, 12 in place. In one case the belt/strap 10, 12 has a length of between about 28 inches and about 50 inches to accommodate a waist size of most wearers, although the length can be varied as desired. The belt/strap 10, 12 can be made of an elastic material(s) and have elastic properties. In particular, in one case the belt/strap 10, 12 can stretch at least about 5% along its length when stretching forces are applied, and return to its original, unstretched shape when the stretching forces are no longer applied, to help accommodate the size of various wearers, and to enable the belt/strap 10, 12 to be tightened as desired.

The protective belt/strap 10, 12 can be used in conjunction with a duty belt or utility belt 20 (collectively termed a utility belt herein) worn by a wearer, as shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3 the utility belt 20 is shown overlaid on top of the belt/strap 10, 12 and shown in hidden lines, and is also shown in conjunction with a pair of trousers 24 and shirt 26. The utility belt 20 is, in the illustrated case, wrapped around the waist of the wearer and positioned underneath belt loops 22 of the trousers 24. In addition, the trousers 24 can include an inner support belt (not shown) positioned on an inner surface of the trousers 24 and extending about a perimeter thereof, where the inner support belt is attachable to itself and/or the trousers 24 to help keep the trousers 24 in place on the wearer.

A plurality of utility items 28 can be coupled to/suspended from or supported by the utility belt 20. In the illustrated embodiment the utility items 28 include a communications radio, a handcuff pouch, a handgun holster and an ammunition pouch. However the utility items 28 can of course vary from those shown in FIG. 3 and will vary depending upon the needs and preferences of the particular wearer. For example, when the wearer is a construction worker the utility items 28 can take the form of tools and the like. In any case, the utility items 28 can in many cases have significant weight and bulk; in one case having a total combined weight of at least about 2.5 pounds, or at least about 5 pounds in another case, or at least about 10 pounds in yet another case. When the utility belt 20 is worn without sufficient protection, the combined weight of the utility items 28 can cause the utility belt 20 to dig into the waist of the wearer, and cause bruising, abrasions, scratches, skin pinches, etc.

When the protective belt/strap 10, 12 is worn underneath the utility belt 20, the protective belt/strap 10, 12 can provide cushioning and distribute the applied forces to protect the wearer. In one case, the belt/strap 10, 12, and in particular the synthetic rubber portion, has a thickness of at least about 1 mm or at least about 2 mm to provide sufficient protection to the wearer, and can have a thickness of less than about 1 cm in one case or less than about 7 mm in another case to not be too bulky. In addition, the belt/strap 10, 12 can have a height (e.g. in a direction parallel to the height of an upright wearer when the belt/strap 10, 12 is worn) of between about four inches and about eight inches in one case, or less than about twelve inches in one case, or less than about ten inches in another case. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the protective belt/strap 10, 12 is worn it may be desired for the utility belt 20 to be positioned within the protective belt/strap 10, 12 in a height direction such that portions of the protective belt/strap 10, 12 extend both above and below the utility belt 20 to ensure sufficient protection is provided. However it may also be desired for the protective belt/strap 10, 12 to not have too great of a height so that the protective belt/strap 10, 12 is not too bulky and does not inhibit the movement of the wearer and/or trap heat or perspiration. Thus it may be desired for the protective belt/strap 10, 12 to have a height greater than the utility belt 20, and have the height in the ranges noted above.

With reference to FIG. 4, the belt/strap 10, 12, and in particular in one case the synthetic rubber material on an inner surface thereof, can be positioned directly in contact with a wearer's skin 30. The synthetic rubber material is generally non-irritating and grips the wearer's skin 30 to prevent relative movement therebetween (even in the presence of moisture or perspiration), which reduces a source of abrasion. In this case the fabric material 14 can face outwardly away from the wearer. FIG. 4 illustrates the wearer's shirt 26 and trousers 24 positioned between the utility belt 20 and the protective belt/strap 10, 12 in a thickness direction. The wearer may also wear undergarments, such as an undershirt and/or underpants, either or both of which can be positioned between utility belt 20 and the protective belt/strap 10, 12. In addition, the inner support belt, if utilized, can be positioned between the utility belt 20 and the protective belt/strap 10, 12. In the illustrated embodiment the upper edge 24 a of the trousers 24 is positioned within the height of the protective belt/strap 10, 12, and the lower edge 26 a of the shirt 26 is positioned below the protective belt/strap 10, 12, but those items can be arranged otherwise as desired.

The belt/strap 10, 12, and in particular the synthetic rubber portion and fabric material 14 and any other layers, can be made of an open pore material such that the belt/strap 10, 12 is breathable/porous and allows liquid perspiration and/or water vapor from the wearer's skin 30 to pass therethrough, along with, in some cases, warm air via convection to provide cooling. However such breathable/porous material may be limited in the amount of perspiration, water vapor or heat which can pass therethrough. Accordingly if desired the belt/strap 10, 12, and in particular the synthetic rubber portion, can includes openings, voids, holes or perforations 32 (collectively terms “perforations” herein) to aid in the transmission of water vapor, heat and air. As shown in FIG. 4, the perforations 32 can be positioned on and intersect a side/surface of the belt/strap 10, 12 opposite the fabric material 14, and extend generally perpendicular thereto. It should be noted that the perforations 32 shown in FIG. 4 are not necessarily to scale, but are shown larger than they may be in actuality for illustrative purposes.

The perforations 32 may extend only a portion of the thickness of the belt/strap 10, 12. In particular if the perforations 32 extend entirely through the thickness of the belt/strap 10, 12, when the belt/strap 10, 12 is worn the wearer's skin 30 can be pulled or sucked into the perforations 32, which can cause blistering of the skin 30. When the perforations 32 extend through only a portion of the thickness, an air cushion is trapped in the perforation 32 to reduce the skin being pulled into the perforation 32. Even though the belt/strap 10, 12 may be somewhat air porous, the closed end of the perforations 32 can still prevent rapid pressure changes inside the perforations 32 when the belt/strap 10, 12 is worn to prevent blistering.

Each perforation 32 can extend at least about 25% of the thickness of the belt/strap 10, 12 in one case, and at least about 50% of the thickness of the belt/strap 10, 12 in another case. The deeper the perforations 32 extend the more they increase the transmission of water vapor, moisture and heat. However if the perforations 32 extend too deep then pressure containment can be lost which might lead to blistering of the wearer.

In one case the perforations 32 extend generally perpendicular to the inner surface of the belt/strap 10, 12, and have a generally constant cross sectional shape (e.g. circular, square, etc.). Each perforation 32 can have a diameter (or effective diameter) of between about 0.05 mm and about 2 mm in one case, or greater than about 0.5 mm or less than about 2 mm. Thus each perforation 32 can have a surface area of between about 0.002 mm² and about 3.14 mm², or greater than about 0.002 mm² or less than about 3.14 mm² where the perforation 32 intersects the inner surface. In some cases, the perforations 32 are sufficiently small and/or may be made simply by forming a penetrating opening into the belt/strap 10, 12 without removing any material (e.g. by piercing instead of boring), such that the perforations 32 are effectively “closed” along their length and do not form an open space or void in the absence of any opening forces. However, it may instead be desired to use perforations 32 that are formed by removing material from the belt/strap 10, 12 so that the perforations 32 are open along their length and define a void or space, by drilling, boring or the like or during formation of the belt/strap 10, 12. Pierced perforations 32 may stretch open and then close upon the user's skin, creating a pinching effect, and this may be able to be avoiding by using openings having voids. In addition, in some cases the belt/strap 10, 12 may not be perforated, and instead may include a continuous or generally continuous inner surface; this may be useful when it is desired to trap heat such as in cold weather environments.

The belt/strap 10, 12 can have a density of perforations 32 such that there is at least about 1 perforation/square inch and/or less than about 5 perforations/square inch. The belt/strap 10, 12 can also have sufficient perforations 32 such that the perforations 32 provide a surface area of at least about 0.01 square inches of perforation (open space) per square inch of the belt/strap 10, 12 or less than about 0.1 square inches of perforation (open space) per square inch of belt/strap 10, 12.

In some cases the belt/strap 10, 12 can have a liner (not shown) on its inner, skin-facing surface (e.g. opposite the surface on which the covering material 14 may be located). The liner can be made of a fabric, cloth or textile material, such as a relatively soft, bulky deep-piled knitted or woven fabric, wool fleece or fleece material (such as polar fleece napped polyester insulating fabric). The liner can be secured to the belt/strap 10, 12 by stitching, adhesives, quilting, or other methods. The liner can help to provide a comfortable surface against the wearer's skin, and can provide a good grip therewith similar to that provided by skin-to-neoprene contact.

If desired the liner can be made of water repellent material and/or be treated to be water repellent to avoid the absorption of moisture. In addition the liner can be moisture vapor permeable to allow moisture vapor to be carried away from the wearer's skin. The liner can have a thickness with ranges the same as those outlined above for the synthetic rubber portion of the belt/strap 10, 12.

When the belt/strap 10, 12 is worn it thus provides a comfortable surface for the wearer and reduces chafing, bruising, abrasions, scratches, skin pinches, etc. The belt/strap 10, 12 can be machine washable without causing damage or reduction in performance to the belt/strap 10, 12. In addition, if utilized, the particular size and arrangement of perforations 32 and/or breathable material(s) provides a relatively cool and comfortable fit to the wearer.

Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the various embodiments, it should be understood that modifications and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the claims of the present application. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A belt comprising: a strap of synthetic rubber, wherein the strap has perforations that extend only partially through a thickness of the strap.
 2. The belt of claim 1 wherein the strap includes a fabric material on one surface thereof and wherein the perforations intersect an opposite surface of the strap.
 3. The belt of claim 1 wherein the synthetic rubber is an open cell neoprene.
 4. The belt of claim 1 wherein the perforations are cavities that define an open volume in the strap.
 5. The belt of claim 1 wherein each perforation intersects a surface of the strap and has a surface area at the surface of between about 0.002 mm² and about 3.14 mm².
 6. The belt of claim 1 wherein each perforation intersects a surface of the strap such that the surface has a perforation surface density of between about 0.01 and about 0.1 square inches/square inch.
 7. The belt of claim 1 wherein the strap has a height of between about 4 and about 8 inches, a thickness of between about 2 mm and about 7 mm, and a length of between about 28 inches and about 50 inches.
 8. The belt of claim 1 wherein each perforation extends at least about 25% of the thickness of the strap.
 9. The belt of claim 1 wherein the strap includes a first piece fastening material positioned on one surface thereof that is configured to releasably engage a second piece of fastening material on an opposite surface thereof to enable the strap to be wrapped around a waist of a wearer and secured in place.
 10. A belt comprising: a strap of synthetic rubber, wherein the strap has a height of between about 4 and about 8 inches and a thickness of between about 2 mm and about 7 mm; and a pair of fastening components coupled to said strap and configured to releasably engage each other such that said strap is formable into a closed loop about a waist of a wearer.
 11. The belt of claim 10 wherein the strap has a fabric material on at least one side thereof, wherein the fabric material is configured to be positioned away from a wearer when the belt is worn, or wherein the fabric material is configured to be positioned adjacent to a wearer when the belt is worn and includes a soft, bulky deep-piled knitted or woven fabric.
 12. A belt system comprising: a protective belt including a strap of synthetic rubber and configured such that the protective belt is in direct contact with the skin of a wearer; and a functional belt worn outside the protective belt such that the protective belt is positioned between the functional belt and the wearer.
 13. The belt system of claim 12 further comprising a pair of trousers having a plurality of belt loops, and wherein the functional belt is threaded through the belt loops, and further comprising a plurality of utility items directly coupled to and supported by the functional belt, wherein the plurality of utility items have a total weight of at least about five pounds.
 14. The belt system of claim 12 wherein the protective belt has a height greater than a height of the functional belt.
 15. The belt system of claim 12 wherein the synthetic rubber is breathable neoprene and wherein the strap has perforations that extend only partially through a thickness of the strap.
 16. The belt system of claim 12 wherein the protective belt includes a pair of fastening components coupled to said strap and configured to releasably engage each other such that said strap is formable into a closed loop about a waist of a wearer.
 17. The belt system of claim 12 wherein the synthetic rubber is in direct contact with the skin of the wearer.
 18. The belt system of claim 12 wherein the belt further includes a fabric material on at least one side thereof, and wherein the fabric material is in direct contact with the skin of the wearer.
 19. A method for using a protective belt comprising: a wearer donning a protective belt including a strap of synthetic rubber such that the belt is in direct contact with the skin of the wearer about the wearer's waist; and the wearer donning a functional belt outside the protective belt such that the protective belt is positioned between the functional belt and the wearer.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the functional belt is passed through belt loops of a pair of trousers and the functional belt supports items thereon having a combined weight of at least about five pounds. 